Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-02-05
TETE PATEIoTTsa.


body like the UBited- States Senate
calmly discussing the possibility Of var
with England. growing out Of the Ash
eFies question, yet refusing 70 make the
slightest preparation for the protection
and defense Of the country.
There seems 10 be no lack Of patriot
ism In the Senate. We are glad TO see
she Senators sinking all party and SEQ
lional lines and voting together where
the honor OF Interest OF the Nation is at
stake, but unfortunately the Henate's
patriotism stops there, stops short Of
any practical result. Il IL willing to
face var II that Is inevitable, bat ID
hesitatss. indeed refuses, 70 make the
slightest preparation for that var, and
viii vote nothing to pat this country
even on the defensive.
We Of the South. At least, know what
il is 70 20 into struggle unprepared.
Against this lack OF preparation, o0ur-
age, patriotism, wealth and population
uounl - nothing. AL the spirit and devo-
ton Of the Confederate troops could not
avail against the Federal hset-feeble az
Il was-~beeause there we're no harboF
defenses. The largest city Of the Con-
federaoy fell sc once inle the hands OF
the enemy. The OonfedeEacy itself was
Gus into halves, its principal ports cap
iured, and Il bottled up, and cut of
from communication With the rest of
ths world, and denied the opportunity
~ secure aid and munitions abroad,
that might have saved is cause. This
total lack Of preparation with which IL
vent into the war was she cause Of Con-
fedeFate defeat and destruction.
The United States Is even less pre-
pared for war today than the southern
States in 1861. Fort Jackson il Ia
EoFse condition than then; Fort Lafay
ctte IN New York harboF Woula not Lass
Al hour against the guns OF the enemy.
While the world has made wonderful
strides Ia offensive warfare, our forts
have actually deteriorated.
Remembering the fate Of the Confed-
eracy. We OF the South recognize today
she humiliation, dishonoF and loss that
must come upon this oountFy should ID
ever drift into a foreign var without
having msde preparations therefor. We
do n0s doubt the patriotism, tbs courage
Or She latent Strength Of shis great Re
public, but all these would not prevent
this humiliation, defeat and loss. II 10
ell very well for Nj. InRalls, with the
safe aeearity Of his oWn State from dan.
ger, 10 denounee England and talk de-
aantiy Of var, bat what woald be the
fate Of the coast oountFy IN such an
events How great the loss OF life and
pFopertyp The aneMy'a fleet ooald ia.
Diet q loss % great that IL would take
the conntry as long 10 recover from it
- u did the Sosth from the disasters Of
10 late struggle.
Yes With billions involved, vita the
homer OF the oountry a stake. men vho
do not lack patriotism, hesitate 20 vote,
from an oyerhowina treasury, the small
Anoanl necessary 70 protect ~ The
man Who, utterly defenseless. denouness
snd attacks q vell-AFmed enemy, gets
little credit for the esurage be may dis
clay he 10 . fool, q nadman. Just
sach Q madman 10 the United States To-
day, dinging defiance AZ armed England,
Iteelf without weapon Of eefensa. II
Congress thinks shat u can make the
needed preparations for var. after hos
tilitios are assured, Il 10 sadly mistaken.
We can tell them from sad experience
that this II impossible. And var 10
never ~ far OF a. ve aastee ourselves.
In the laat two years alsne thers have
oeea - many diplomatic difficulties
that might easily have taFned into 60
live hosailitiea. Can we always trust
b ssod luck saving usl Indeed. viii
Cur threats or demands have any weight
or inhaence when every foreign power
must knog that they are mere wiad;
that we eAHnos enfUFce them, can
scarcely defend oon1elvas.
IL there no Congressman 10 point oct
atrongly and foseibly. a. did that states
man, MF. Iilden. same moaths aeo. how
anwtse and unpatFiotte Il the refusal %
protect the oouatry against possible TN
Nasiouf IL there ne one % show the
danger Of this peFnicioas Peliey, which
dSniss the small sun necessary to.pro-
teet the Union from indlRnity and in
luryf We have more money in tire
treasury than we need. and the great
problem Of to-day in Congress h 10 stop
AddiiooAl receipts; bat nose Of al
THIS mocey viii Congress give 90 make
toe eauntry safe a. h0uae and respected
abroad, 10 add aome weigat 20 ia asser.
ticns and denaads-
The Sezate u paayine ehi.disA pari
10 cailsng any natiou 10 AcesGat ansil
lae Uuited States b Able 10 enforce lie
tsmand, % A. least proseet itself frem I
iBjaFy. hnaiiiAftoa and iosA-Ntzs Or
lssFss Tatsss Hsszscy1f.